Equinox Resources, an Australian company listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange (ASX: EQN), is venturing into Brazil with an ambitious investment plan to explore and develop rare earth and niobium projects, crucial minerals for the global energy transition.
Under the leadership of Zac Komur, the company’s CEO, Equinox is allocating an initial investment of R$10 million to kickstart operations in the country, targeting strategic areas in Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Exploring Brazilian Potential: Focus on Bahia and Minas Gerais
In Bahia, the company is focusing its efforts on the Campo Grande Project, located in the Jequié region, spanning an area of 1,755.2 km². This project holds the potential to become one of the largest rare earth element (REE) deposits globally, containing hard rock, monazite sand, and ionic clay.
Equinox is commencing a prospecting campaign in this region, using regional geophysical studies to guide its drilling operations.
Komur emphasized the importance of this approach:
The main exploration targets were identified through regional geophysical studies, which helped guide the planning of the drilling campaign,” stated the executive.
The first, the Mata da Corda Project, covers an area of 847.2 km² in the REE region of the Alto Paranaíba Igneous Province of Patos de Minas. Here, the company plans to conduct a sampling campaign to define drilling targets.
The second project, Canastra Niobium, encompasses an area of 606.2 km² in the same province, between Araxá and Patrocínio. Komur explained the company’s decision to diversify its assets in Brazil, highlighting the country’s dominance in the global niobium market, particularly in the Alto Paranaíba Igneous Province region.
The dominance of Brazil in the global niobium market is mainly attributed to its unique geological formations, especially in the Alto Paranaíba Igneous Province (APIP), which currently accounts for over 95% of global niobium production and houses significant niobium deposits in Araxá and Catalão,” said the executive.
Commitment to Development and Partnerships in Brazil
In addition to presenting its projects, Komur was in Brasília to meet with authorities, including representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Mining Agency.
The Australian director was accompanied by a team of experts, including Luciano Bruno Oliveira, exploration manager of the company in Brazil, Giancarlo Silva, director of Igneous Geology and Environment, and Daniel Pires, executive manager of the Brazilian Association of Mineral Research and Mining Companies (ABPM).
He highlighted that, in addition to the country’s mineral potential, legal security and infrastructure were key factors in Equinox’s decision to invest in Brazil.
Equinox has the expertise to unlock value from its assets, streamlining the path from studies to production, while consistently prioritizing sustainable and efficient extraction. And Brazil is a globally recognized mining hub with favorable mining infrastructure and policies. This makes it an ideal location for Equinox to grow and thrive. Looking ahead, we are excited to start our initial drilling program,” Komur emphasized.
During the meetings in Brasília, Komur received support and interest from Brazilian authorities.
Rodrigo Cota, Mineral Production director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, expressed Brazil’s interest in receiving investments from companies like Equinox, recognizing its high-performance capacity.
Roger Cabral, director of the National Mining Agency (ANM), emphasized the agency’s interest in ensuring that Equinox projects in Brazil yield quick results and unlock value for both shareholders and local communities.
He reiterated ANM’s commitment to supporting mining initiatives, such as Equinox’s, highlighting the agency’s fundamental role in promoting sustainable development and creating economic opportunities for the regions involved in the ventures.
Zé Silva, president of the Sustainable Mining Parliamentary Front, thanked Komur for his visit and invited the director to participate in meetings with parliamentarians from Bahia and Minas Gerais, providing an opportunity to share Equinox’s plans and objectives in Brazil.
Equinox Resources, which also has assets in Australia and Canada, is excited to kickstart its initial drilling program in Brazil. Komur concluded that the company is committed to facing the challenges of the mining sector with agility and enthusiasm, seeking to create and ensure lasting value in all its operations.
“Standing still is not an option for us. We navigate the dynamic landscape of our sector with agility and enthusiasm. We persevere amidst challenges, not just to meet targets, but to create and ensure lasting value,” said Komur.
The arrival of Equinox Resources in Brazil marks a significant step for the country’s mining sector, bringing substantial investments and a commitment to responsible and sustainable exploration of mineral resources essential for the global energy transition.
Source information: Brasil Mineral – Minera Brasil – Equinox Resources
Images: Warley Pereira
